United States AttorneyDistrict of North Dakota

Minot Man Convicted of Felon in Possession of Firearm & Ammunition

Bismark, ND – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on June 19, 2014, Brian L. Sweeney, 47, Minot, N.D., was found guilty by a federal jury on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

On October 14, 2013, in Minot, N.D., Sweeney was stopped for a traffic violation. After smelling the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, a law enforcement search resulted in the discovery of a loaded .380 caliber handgun.

Sweeney was prohibited from possessing either a firearm or ammunition by virtue of multiple felony convictions, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault, and felon in possession of a firearm.

The charge of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Minot Police Department, the Ward County Sheriff’s Office and the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Parole and Probation Services.

Sentencing for Sweeney has not been scheduled. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hagler is prosecuting the case.